“Wait — didn’t you just say Young Marquis is coming today to deliver the wedding garments? If you beat me badly enough that I can’t be seen, I won’t be able to meet him.” Yan Yunning tilted her face upward and looked at her with an expression that was half a smile.

Chu Wantang’s vision darkened, her voice trembling slightly. “Get out.”

“As you wish.” Yan Yunning curved her lips.

“My Lady, calm your anger. In a few days she will be married off. Those secondary wives and concubines in the Marquis’s household are none of them soft-natured — she will get plenty of grief.” Nanny Liu handed over a cup of tea and rubbed Chu Wantang’s back soothingly.

Chu Wantang reached out and accepted the tea, taking a delicate sip. “Nanny, do you think when the Master returns and finds out, he might…”

Nanny Liu hastened to reassure her. “My Lady, have you forgotten? Second Young Miss had eyes only for Young Marquis from the very first moment she saw him, and willingly begged My Lady to arrange the marriage herself.”

“I can only hope it all goes smoothly.” Chu Wantang rubbed her temples and let out a sigh.

“The Master.”

“The Master.”

The maidservants waiting at the door bowed respectfully.

Chu Wantang’s expression changed drastically. “Nanny, why has the Master returned at this hour? What do we do?”

Nanny Liu clasped her hand and quickly straightened her garments. “My Lady, do not panic.”

Chu Wantang drew in a deep breath and stood up with a smile. “This concubine greets the Master.”

Yan Ruijing’s face was stormcloud-dark. With a sharp crack, he struck Chu Wantang across the face.

Chu Wantang stumbled backward and collapsed to the ground, staring in disbelief.

“My Lady.” Nanny Liu cried out in alarm.

“Everyone out.” Yan Ruijing roared with fury.

Nanny Liu pressed her lips together, cast a worried glance at Chu Wantang on the floor, and slowly withdrew along with the maidservants.

“Master, this concubine does not know what wrong she has committed.” Chu Wantang’s expression was pitifully delicate.

“Taking advantage of this Chancellor’s absence from the manor to secretly arrange Ningning’s marriage — you have some nerve.”

“Master, it was Ningning’s own wish! Her own wish! This concubine tried to advise her — Ningning would not listen to me!” Chu Wantang’s lips trembled as she rushed to explain.

Yan Ruijing looked down at her from above, his voice and expression stern. “Chu Wantang, I may as well tell you plainly — my Ningning’s future husband must be a finer match than Yaoyao’s, without exception. Young Marquis is not worthy of Ningning.”

When Ningning was small, he had been unable to be at her side to protect her at all times. Sending her away had been better than leaving her with Chu Wantang. Every month he had arranged for money to be sent over, ensuring they would care for Ningning properly.

It had also been he who let slip word to Yaoyao, prompting her to bring Ningning back to the manor.

Chu Wantang’s eyes trembled violently, brimming with tears. “Do you love her that much? So much that you would even…”

“Silence.” Yan Ruijing’s expression darkened. He cut her off impatiently.

“The betrothal gifts have already been accepted. Even if she does not wish to marry, she has no choice.” Chu Wantang gave a cold laugh.

Yan Ruijing’s gaze shifted slightly. “The betrothal contract states only the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s household — it does not name Ningning specifically. Since the betrothal gifts have already been accepted, let Yaoyao be the one to marry over.”

“Master, you… what are you saying? Young Marquis’s eldest son is already ten years old.” Chu Wantang’s handkerchief slipped from her fingers. It took a moment before she found her voice again.

Yan Ruijing let out a cold snort. “Can Yaoyao not be the one to marry? So instead you let my Ningning go? Chu Wantang, you are the one who accepted the betrothal gifts. Whether Yaoyao wishes to marry or not — she will marry.”

Chu Wantang’s face was stricken with alarm. “Yaoyao is your own flesh and blood. Yan Yunning, she…”

“Enough.” Yan Ruijing’s expression turned cold and stormy. He cut Chu Wantang off. “This matter is not open to further discussion. Yaoyao will marry Young Marquis.”

Yan Ruijing shook out his sleeves and strode away.

Chu Wantang sank to the floor in a crumpled heap. Her Yaoyao…

Why had she not thought to write Yan Yunning’s name explicitly on the betrothal contract at the time?

What now?

What was she to do now?

…

“Your Highness, something has gone wrong.” Ye Jian shoved the door open with force.

Xuan Yanyu gave a few light coughs. His voice carried a faint hoarseness. “What is it?”

Ye Jian noticed the change in Xuan Yanyu’s appearance. He pressed his lips together. “Your Highness, have you caught a cold?”

“It is nothing.” Xuan Yanyu licked his dry lips.

“How can it be nothing? Your Highness, how did you fall ill? Did you catch a chill? Have you taken the medicine yet?”

“What were you just saying — something has gone wrong?” Xuan Yanyu said carelessly, turning a dagger over in his hands, his eyes growing dark.

Lou Ao!

Chu Wantang!

He drove the dagger down into a bowl full of tea. The bowl shattered into pieces, and the tea splashed out in an instant.

Ye Jian smacked himself on the forehead. “Your Highness, you instructed me to pass word to the Prime Minister about Second Young Miss. The Prime Minister was indeed furious and rushed back through the night — but he has now ordered First Young Miss to be the one to marry Lou Ao. What do we do now?”

“She has not yet married, has she?” Xuan Yanyu’s expression did not change. He spoke without urgency.

“Your Highness, the wedding is nearly upon us. Think of something quickly.”

“What is the hurry?” Xuan Yanyu lifted his gaze, letting it pass over Ye Jian in a measured glance.

Ye Jian stepped forward, his temples throbbing. “Your Highness, was it not you yourself who said last night that such matters must be resolved as soon as possible?”

He had been sent to find the Prime Minister immediately — yet today, all urgency had apparently vanished.

“Xuan Yanyu.” Yan Yunning slipped quietly through the door. She looked up, saw Ye Jian, and a smile rose to her lips. “Ye Jian, you’re here too.”

Ye Jian smiled and nodded. “Second Young Miss.”

“Ye Jian?” Xuan Yanyu said, displeased.

She addressed him by name with no honorific, yet called someone else by a friendly title.

Catching his gaze, Yan Yunning tilted her head and looked at him, smiling warmly. “Father just told me — I won’t have to marry Lou Ao after all. You were the one who informed Father, weren’t you? Xuan Yanyu, thank you.”

She herself had not even thought of going to Father.

The young woman was dressed in a pale green skirt. Her clear eyes carried a smile, her complexion fair and rosy, and her garments were embroidered with lively little rabbits.

A sachet hung from her shoulder, shaped like a blooming sunflower, with an equally lively little rabbit embroidered at its center.

A delicate hairpin rested in her hair, two strands falling softly at her cheeks, revealing her slender neck — radiant and beautiful.

The man swallowed quietly and gave a low “Mm.”

“Second Young Miss, you may not have to marry — but First Young Miss now has to.” Ye Jian sighed.

Yan Yunning: “?”

“The betrothal contract names the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s household. Since you are not marrying, First Young Miss will be married in your place.” Ye Jian pressed his lips lightly together.

Hearing this, Xuan Yanyu lifted his eyelids. His voice came lazily. “In her place? How exactly is it ‘in her place’?”

Ye Jian inwardly cursed himself. “Forgive me, Your Highness. This subordinate spoke carelessly.”

Xuan Yanyu set down his tea cup, raised an eyebrow, and said unhurriedly, “Get out.”

Watching Ye Jian exit the side chamber, Yan Yunning’s long lashes gave a flutter. She turned to leave as well.

“Where are you going?” Xuan Yanyu frowned.

Yan Yunning pointed to herself and asked in return, “Me? I’m heading out.”

Was he not telling people to leave?

Xuan Yanyu pinched the bridge of his nose with weary helplessness. “I did not tell you to leave.”

“But I have nothing left to say to you, and I want to go see A’Jie.” Yan Yunning smiled.

Xuan Yanyu’s eyes lifted at the corners. “You want to thank me? With just words?”

“What else? I have no money — you know that. I still owe you money.” Yan Yunning spread her hands.

The man gave a low laugh. “Yan Yunning, how could you say that so boldly?”

“Well, I have no money. Once I do, I will find a proper way to thank you. For now, I can only be in your debt.” Yan Yunning pressed her palms together in a gesture of pleading, her face curling into a cheeky grin.